Is Rapidash Good in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Playthrough?
Sinnoh's default Fire option for players who didn't pick Chimchar. Fast enough to outrun most gym leaders and hits the right types. Doesn't have the depth of Arcanine (BD exclusive) or Houndoom (Underground), but gets the job done with what Sinnoh gives you.
Ponyta trades roughly evenly with Roark's team.
Ponyta resists most of Gardenia's coverage and hits back hard.
Ponyta has the type edge here and should clean up Maylene's team.
Crasher Wake's team hits Ponyta's weaknesses hard.
Ponyta has the type edge here and should clean up Fantina's team.
Ponyta has the type edge here and should clean up Byron's team.
Rapidash resists most of Candice's coverage and hits back hard.
Rapidash has the type edge here and should clean up Volkner's team.
Rapidash has the type edge here and should clean up Aaron's team.
Bertha's team hits Rapidash's weaknesses hard.
Rapidash has the type edge here and should clean up Flint's team.
Rapidash has the type edge here and should clean up Lucian's team.
Rapidash has the type edge here and should clean up Cynthia's team.
Catch Ponyta on Route 211 (walking, Lv 26-28, uncommon).
Your Ponyta should hit Level 40 before you reach Candice, at typical leveling pace.
How to Get Rapidash in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
No wild encounters for Rapidash. The 2-stage line runs through Ponyta, which you can catch at solid rates from the locations below. Evolve at level 40 once you've got the levels.
How to Obtain Rapidash in BDSP
To get Rapidash, start by catching Ponyta through walking encounters at Lv. 13-29. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch PonytaRoute 206Lv.14-16GrassRate 45%DayRoute 206Lv.14-16GrassRate 35%MorningRoute 206Lv.14-16GrassRate 25%NightRoute 211 - WestLv.13GrassRate 10%Route 210 - SouthLv.18-20GrassRate 50%DayRoute 215Lv.21-22GrassRate 40%DayRoute 214Lv.23-24GrassRate 35%Morning/dayRoute 210 - SouthLv.18-20GrassRate 30%Morning/nightRoute 215Lv.21-22GrassRate 30%MorningRoute 214Lv.23-24GrassRate 25%NightRoute 215Lv.21GrassRate 20%NightRoute 211 - EastLv.26-28GrassRate 15%Morning/daySandsear CaveLv.25-29GrassRequires StrengthTyphlo CavernLv.25-29CaveRequires StrengthVolcanic CaveLv.25-29CaveRequires StrengthRoute 211 - EastLv.27-28GrassRate 5%Night
Step 2Rapidash ✓
Rapidash Weakness
Type-wise, Rapidash takes extra damage from Water, Ground, and Rock. 6 resistances give it solid defensive coverage on top of that. Flash Fire grants an additional Fire immunity, reshaping the matchup chart. Rapidash leans offensive (base 100 Atk) rather than trying to tank its weaknesses.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Ground, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel, Fairy |
What is Rapidash Weak Against
AvgBest Pokemon Against Rapidash
 Cubone Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Cubone builds →Earthquake 2x72-85% Rock Slide 2x37-43% | ||
 Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Geodude builds →Earthquake 2x93-111%KO Stone Edge 2x93-111%KO | ||
 Psyduck Water | D | |
Obtain MethodCelestic Town Surfing | ||
 Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Onix builds →Earthquake 2x65-78% Stone Edge 2x65-78% | ||
 Phanpy Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Phanpy builds →Earthquake 2x83-98% Rock Slide 2x39-48% | ||
 Bibarel NormalWater | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Bibarel builds →Waterfall 2x82-98% Rollout 2x22-29% | ||
Cubone Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Cubone builds →Earthquake 2x71-86% Rock Slide 2x37-45% | ||
Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Geodude builds →Earthquake 2x98-116%KO Stone Edge 2x98-116%KO | ||
Psyduck Water | D | |
Obtain MethodCelestic Town Surfing | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Onix builds →Earthquake 2x71-86% Stone Edge 2x71-86% | ||
 Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x95-113%KO Stone Edge 2x64-75% | ||
 Floatzel Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Floatzel builds →Waterfall 2x92-109%KO Rock Tomb 2x48-57% | ||
Bibarel NormalWater | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Bibarel builds →Waterfall 2x81-95% Bulldoze 2x40-48% Rollout 2x20-25% | ||
 Donphan Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Donphan builds →Earthquake 2x130-153%KO Stone Edge 2x86-102%KO | ||
 Gastrodon WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Gastrodon builds →Earthquake 2x98-116%KO Surf 2x86-102%KO Stone Edge 2x65-77% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x95-113%KO Stone Edge 2x64-75% | ||
 Azumarill WaterFairy | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Azurill (Great Marsh Surfing) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Azumarill builds →Surf 2x64-75% Dig 2x36-43% Rollout 2x15-18% | ||
Floatzel Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Floatzel builds →Waterfall 2x92-109%KO Dig 2x61-73% Rock Tomb 2x48-57% | ||
 Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Sudowoodo builds →Stone Edge 2x113-133%KO Earthquake 2x75-89% | ||
Bibarel NormalWater | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Bibarel builds →Waterfall 2x81-95% Dig 2x53-64% Rollout 2x20-25% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x91-108%KO Stone Edge 2x60-72% | ||
Azumarill WaterFairy | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Azurill (Great Marsh Surfing) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Azumarill builds →Surf 2x61-73% Dig 2x36-43% Rollout 2x15-17% | ||
 Golduck Water | C | |
Obtain MethodCelestic Town Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Golduck builds →Surf 2x86-102%KO Dig 2x50-60% | ||
Floatzel Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Floatzel builds →Waterfall 2x91-108%KO Dig 2x60-72% Rock Tomb 2x46-54% | ||
 Hippowdon Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Hippowdon builds →Earthquake 2x118-140%KO Stone Edge 2x79-93% Water Pulse 2x31-37% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x89-105%KO Stone Edge 2x59-70% | ||
Azumarill WaterFairy | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Azurill (Great Marsh Surfing) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Azumarill builds →Surf 2x59-70% Dig 2x35-41% Rollout 2x15-18% | ||
Golduck Water | C | |
Obtain MethodCelestic Town Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Golduck builds →Surf 2x85-100%KO Dig 2x50-59% | ||
Floatzel Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Floatzel builds →Waterfall 2x89-105%KO Dig 2x59-70% Rock Tomb 2x46-54% | ||
Hippowdon Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Hippowdon builds →Earthquake 2x117-138%KO Stone Edge 2x77-92% Water Pulse 2x31-36% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x90-106%KO Stone Edge 2x60-71% | ||
Azumarill WaterFairy | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Azurill (Great Marsh Surfing) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Azumarill builds →Surf 2x57-68% Dig 2x34-40% Rollout 2x14-17% | ||
Golduck Water | C | |
Obtain MethodCelestic Town Surfing | ||
Floatzel Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Floatzel builds →Waterfall 2x90-106%KO Dig 2x60-71% Rock Tomb 2x45-54% | ||
Hippowdon Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Hippowdon builds →Earthquake 2x118-139%KO Stone Edge 2x78-92% Water Pulse 2x29-35% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x90-106%KO Stone Edge 2x60-71% | ||
Azumarill WaterFairy | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Azurill (Great Marsh Surfing) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Azumarill builds →Surf 2x57-68% Dig 2x34-40% Rollout 2x14-17% | ||
Golduck Water | C | |
Obtain MethodCelestic Town Surfing | ||
Floatzel Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Floatzel builds →Waterfall 2x90-106%KO Dig 2x60-71% Rock Tomb 2x45-54% | ||
Hippowdon Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Hippowdon builds →Earthquake 2x118-139%KO Stone Edge 2x78-92% Water Pulse 2x29-35% | ||
 Rhydon GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Rhydon builds →Earthquake 2x134-158%KO Stone Edge 2x134-158%KO Surf 2x31-37% | ||
 Garchomp DragonGround | S | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Garchomp builds →Earthquake 2x134-158%KO Stone Edge 2x90-105%KO Surf 2x48-57% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x90-105%KO Stone Edge 2x59-70% | ||
Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Sudowoodo builds →Head Smash 2x159-188%KO Earthquake 2x71-85% | ||
 Kingler Water | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Kingler builds →Crabhammer 2x134-158%KO Dig 2x71-85% Rock Slide 2x67-79% | ||
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Garchomp can KO Rapidash with Earthquake (162-190%). Tyranitar threatens a KO with Stone Edge (271-319%).
Garchomp DragonGround | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityRough Skin ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Garchomp builds →Earthquake 2x162-190%KO | ||
 Tyranitar RockDark | A | |
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Tyranitar builds →Crunch108-128%KO Stone Edge 2x271-319%KO Earthquake 2x180-213%KO | ||
Rapidash Evolutions
Rapidash is the evolved form of Ponyta. Breeding produces Ponyta eggs, and they're average hatch time. Evolving from Ponyta gave Rapidash the biggest boost in HP (+15), bringing the total to 500 stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Rapidash to get Ponyta eggs easily using 131 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Ally Switch, Charm, Double Kick and 8 more.
BDSP Rapidash Best Moveset
Dropped from C-tier with 100 Attack and 105 Speed behind Fire TermStab. Hidden AbilityFlame Body burns physical attackers on contact. The moveset has pace but limited coverage, and 65/70/80 bulk across HP, Defense, and Sp. Def means one strong special hit often ends it.
Best Build
Rapidash best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Flare Blitz
- High Horsepower
- Wild Charge
- Megahorn
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
Breeding's the move. Ally Switch and Charm give Rapidash options it can't learn any other way, and coverage across 7 types already covers a decent range on top of Overheat and Flare Blitz. The egg moves push it further.
How to Read the Moves Table
Tabs
- Level-Up
- Learned by leveling up.
- TM
- Taught by a Technical Machine.
- Egg
- Inherited via breeding.
- Tutor
- NPC tutor (cost: items, BP, money).
- Reminder
- An NPC reteaches any move this Pokemon could have learned by leveling up.
- Transfer
- Carried over from an older game using Pokemon HOME.
- Event
- Given out through Mystery Gift events.
Visual Signals
CAT (Category)
How the move deals damage and which stats it uses.
A small dot on the icon's corner marks the move as contact. That triggers abilities like Static, Flame Body, Rough Skin, or Iron Barbs, plus items like Rocky Helmet and Sticky Barb.
Tier (S to D)
Each move's competitive rank in RankedBoost's system. TM, Egg, and Tutor sort by tier by default (best first). On Level-Up, click the Tier header to do the same.
PWR (Power)
Base damage. Numbers shown in a type color include STAB (base × 1.5). Hover any colored number to see the math.
— means no power (status moves) or variable power.
Sorting & Filter
Click any column header to sort. Level-Up opens with Lv 1 at the top. TM, Egg, and Tutor open with the highest-tier moves at the top.
Search filters by move name or type. The Filter button limits the list to STAB, Physical, Special, or Status moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Base Stats
It gallops at nearly 150 mph. With its mane blazing ferociously, it races as if it were an arrow.
It has astounding acceleration. From a standstill, it can reach top speed within 10 steps.
Rapidash Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Guide
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Don't let Rapidash's 500 base stat total fool you. Flash Fire is what makes it tick. It punches way above its weight class. We rate it B-Tier as a sweeper. Flare Blitz with Choice Band is the standard set.
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Run Flash Fire on Rapidash. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Rapidash also gets Run Away and Flame Body, but they don't compare. With base 105 Speed, Flash Fire gives Rapidash an edge before opponents can react.
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Rapidash fills the sweeper role. It's a physical attacker with base 100 Attack. Base 105 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
For Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, the core moveset is Flare Blitz, Highhorsepower, Wild Charge, and Megahorn. Flare Blitz leads at 0% usage. This set covers the sweeper role with a mix of damage and utility.
Game Availability
Rapidash first appeared in Red & Blue and spans 20 games across 10 generations. It later gained a Galarian form in Generation 8, adding new dimensions to its competitive identity.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwShGalarian
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves